Procyrion’s Aortix pMCS Will Be Covered Under New CMS Codes in DRAIN-HF Pivotal Trial

September 7, 2023—Procyrion, Inc. announced new inpatient hospital ICD-10-PCS procedure codes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that are applicable to the company’s Aortix percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) technology. The Aortix catheter-deployed pump, which is placed in the descending thoracic aorta, is designed to directly unload the heart and increase cardiac performance while increasing perfusion to the kidneys.

According to Procyrion, there are three new codes that allow facilities to report the implantation, revision, and removal of a short-term external heart pump positioned in the descending thoracic aorta. The codes will be effective October 1, 2023.

The implantation/insertion or revision codes will result in MS-DRG 215, consistent with other commercially available pMCS technologies such as the Impella device (Abiomed). MS-DRG 215 will have a national average hospital reimbursement of $71,520 in FY 2024 (effective October 1, 2023).

Procyrion noted that the new codes are significant because the company plans to initiate its United States investigational device exemption pivotal trial DRAIN-HF in the coming month. CMS has approved Medicare coverage during the trial.

DRAIN-HF will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Aortix system compared to standard-of-care medical therapy in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Medical therapy includes high-dose intravenous diuretics in patients hospitalized with ADHF who have persistent congestion and demonstrated diuretic resistance despite optimal medical management.